Conflict Resolution

Welcome to the TSTC System’s conflict resolution webpage. If you’re looking for ideas on how to handle a dispute you may be having now, please click here; otherwise, the information below will keep you abreast of what’s happening in TSTC's conflict resolution world.

Effective December 2007, TSTC's new conflict resolution System Operating Standard HR 2.4.14 was approved. All employees, faculty and staff, will use this policy to request a mediation or a grievance hearing. Employees are able to take advantage of several new features under the new SOS. They can

• ask for a mediation early in a dispute before things get out of hand. Mediation, simply a discussion facilitated by trained mediators, is considered an informal approach to conflict resolution. Since people solve their problems informally all the time without involving supervisors or managers in the process, employees who request mediation do not have to go through their supervisory chain. No one, not presidents, vice-presidents, cluster directors, chairs, or other supervisors, has to know a mediation is being arranged other than the parties involved.
• request their issue(s) be heard by a 3-member hearing panel. Both sides to a dispute will present their arguments before this panel of TSTC employees. People wishing to ask for a hearing must do so within 10 workdays of any action or decision with which they take issue. Extensions of this deadline may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
• appeal a decision regarding termination to the Chancellor.

Interested in finding out more? Contact one of the Campus Resolutions Coordinators below:

• TSTC Harlingen (Primary): Charlie Perez, charlie.perez@harlingen.tstc.edu, (956) 364-4236
• TSTC Harlingen (Alternate): Juan Lopez, juan.lopez@harlingen.tstc.edu, (956) 364-4208
• TSTC Waco (Primary): Michelle Rachels, michelle.rachels@tstc.edu, (254) 867-3883
• TSTC Waco (Alternate) Stephen Tanton, stephen.tanton@tstc.edu (254) 867-3638
• TSTC West Texas (Sweetwater): Mark Hampton, mark.hampton@abiliene.tstc.edu (325) 236-8286
• TSTC West Texas (Breckenridge, Abilene, Brownwood): Tommie Moore, tommie.moore@westtexas.tstc.edu, (325) 734-3641
• TSTC System Ops/TSTC Marshall: George Reamy, george.reamy@systems.tstc.edu, (254) 867-3965
  
  (Any employee system-wide may contact the System Resolution Coordinator, George Reamy, if they desire.)

Links:

• TSTC Conflict Resolution Policy: Want the details of TSTC’s conflict resolution program? Click on the link and read on.
• Mediation Video: Here’s a YouTube video that provides a good overview of mediation. Curious? Get to clickin’!
• Mediator. . .blah. . .blah: As the site says about itself, it’s "an offbeat online confessional in pursuit of reflective mediation."
• MediationChannel.com: A great place to learn about mediation issues and procedures.